Cuomo, Nixon face off in Democratic primary debate

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon engage during a gubernatorial debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, Pool)

The two Democratic candidates for New York state governor traded barbs in a debate on Wednesday at Hofstra University in Hempstead.

The candidates – Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking his third term, and Cynthia Nixon, the actress and education activist ­– held their first and only televised debate just two weeks ahead of the September primary.

About 150 people attended the debate, which featured questions from moderator Maurice DuBois, co-anchor of CBS2 News, and Marcia Kramer, chief political correspondent at WCBS-TV.

Asked why she was running and whether she had the experience to run a state with a $170 billion budget, Nixon, a lifelong New Yorker, first spoke about her experience fighting for public schools and LGBT rights, and organizing rallies before noting she is “not an Albany insider,” adding “experience doesn’t mean that much if you’re not good at governing.”

But Cuomo, who said repeatedly that his opponent lived in the world “of fiction, not fact,” noted that the role of governor of New York means fighting terrorism, making sure the trains work, and handling emergencies. And these days, he said, leading the state means “fighting Trump.” Cuomo said the president is “attacking” women’s right to choose, immigrant’s rights, marriage equality and gun control, adding “he has to be stopped.”

Here, Nixon challenged Cuomo. For example, she asked why the governor had not provided access to drivers’ licenses for undocumented people to offer a form of protection, adding, “This is something you can do by executive order.”

As the underdog, Nixon broke in to make her points, prompting Cuomo to say “Can you stop interrupting?” to which Nixon replied, “Can you stop lying?”

The audience reacted to several responses with cheering and booing for both candidates, at one point prompting DuBois to turn around and ask the crowd to settle down.

Cuomo was asked several times if he promised he wouldn’t run for president in 2020 if he won the gubernatorial election. Finally, he answered directly, saying “The only caveat is if God strikes me dead. Otherwise I will serve as governor of New York.”

Nixon brought up Joe Percoco, Cuomo’s former aide, who was convicted of bribery conspiracy, but Cuomo said it was a “painful situation,” adding “he will pay.” He noted, “Everybody agrees I had nothing to do with it, period.”

But Nixon said, Percoco “was his most closest advisor,” asking is it “incompetence or corruption, which is it?”

Nixon said she would cancel the upcoming MTA fare hike “because the service is not what people deserve.”

Cuomo said the state cannot fund the MTA without sharing the costs with the city. “If the city does it 50/50, I will do it,” he said.

And neither seemed too hungry for Mayor Bill DiBlasio’s endorsement.

“I love the mayor,” Cuomo said. “I’m sure he loves me in a strange sort of way. He makes his own political decisions.”

Nixon said, “This is a race I’m running on my own.”

The winner of the September primary will compete against Republican Marc Molinaro and Independent Stephanie Miner, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, Libertarian Larry Sharpe and Independent Joel Giambra.

The debate followed a string of victories in Democratic primaries for progressive candidates, including in Florida, Andrew Gillum, who is running for governor. However, Cuomo continues to lead in the polls.

Cuomo has maintained that he pushed through some of the strictest gun laws nationwide, same-sex marriage and – for students who qualify – cost-free tuition in New York’s public colleges and universities and infrastructure.

Credited with pushing Cuomo to the left, Nixon is arguing to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, legalize recreational marijuana and bring single-payer healthcare.